Nurses' Knowledge of Adverse Medication Events and its Contributing Factors at Intensive Care Units: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Context: Medication errors are a major concern in the healthcare setting, as they result from the inappropriate use of products related to the treatment or the effects that lead to harm. In Saudi Arabia, prescription errors constitute nearly one-fifth of all medication errors. Still, there is a difference in dealing with the process of using medications based on each country and its background.

Aim: To assess the ICU nurses’ knowledge and contributing factors regarding adverse medication events at Makkah City Hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted among nurses at different hospitals in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. A random probability sampling technique was used to choose the appropriate sample of nurses. The sample size was 155 nurses. A valid and reliable knowledge questionnaire on medication errors was used.

Results: There was good knowledge regarding adverse medication events for 13.5% of participants. Most participants (86.5%) had poor knowledge of adverse medication events. The mean knowledge score of ICU Nurses about Adverse Medication Events was 4.81±1.91 among males and 4.28±1,96 among females. There was no statistically significant relationship between nurses’ knowledge about adverse medication events with gender (t-test 1.653, p-value=0.598), education level (r=-0.137, p-value=0.089), and workplace (r=0.072, p-value=0.376). There was a significant statistical negative relationship between ICU nurses’ knowledge score about Adverse Medication Events with age (r=-0.251, p-value=0.002), nationality (r=-0.739, p-value=0.000), role/profession (r=-0.242, p-value=0.002). There was a significant statistical positive relationship between ICU nurses’ knowledge score about Adverse Medication Events with work weekly hours (r=0.205, p=0.010)

Conclusion: The study's result underscores the importance of enhancing ICU nurses' knowledge and skills related to adverse medication events. Hospital management should provide training opportunities to help nurses develop their knowledge and skills in medication administration to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.